Having been a successful freelance artist for several years, I re-trained as a teacher during the pandemic (around same time as having a child) thinking this was a vocation that would avoid the hustle, provide steady employment and secure environment for raising a family.
I have a good relationship with pupils and management in schools across the City. I still pick up odd days supply but it’s a patchwork, usually coming in on the day, therefore challenging to accept teaching work and accommodate childcare responsibilities & school pickups.
After interviews for permanent or short-term contracts, I’m told of the number and quality of applicants and don’t see the situation changing anytime soon. 6 years on, I’m back freelancing, doing the hustle, juggling with single parenting and doubting the conviction of my decisions.
This is answer 75 of the 269 written answers that teachers let us quote anonymously in the Scottish Teacher Employment Survey 2026. It answers the survey’s last question: what do the people who make decisions about teacher employment need to know?
We have corrected spelling, added paragraph breaks and removed details that could identify anyone. Words in square brackets are ours.